Yatsugatake Brewery releases limited rice lager FIRST DOWN for the first sip
On June 26, Yatsugatake Brewery announced the return of FIRST DOWN, a limited lager designed as the beer for a first drink. The recipe uses local Hokuto-grown rice, Canadian malt and Saaz hops to deliver a crisp, highly carbonated finish.
Hop BroToday’s topic is the return of FIRST DOWN. Yatsugatake Brewery has brought out a limited rice lager made specifically for your first beer.
MugiMade for the first glass? What is that! Does beer have a starting lineup now?
Hop BroIt kind of does. This one is built to reset your mood with the first sip, using strong carbonation and crispness for that throat opens up feeling.
MugiJust hearing that makes it a serious gulping candidate! But wait, rice lager means it tastes like actual rice?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. The core is Rihoku rice and Saaz, plus Canadian malt and Czech hops, so it lands smooth but still super refreshing.
MugiWho is Saaz!? That sounds like an imported pinch hitter, not an ingredient. Please tell me he’s not your drinking buddy.
Hop BroSaaz hops are a classic Czech variety. They keep the aroma refined instead of flashy, which makes them a great match for the gentle rice character.
MugiOhhh! So this is less aroma fireworks and more full-throttle drinkability. That sounds lethal in hot weather.
Hop BroExactly. Yatsugatake Brewery started in Kiyosato Highlands in 1997, knows lager inside out, and is built around Malt Centric Brewing, meaning they really value malt flavor.
MugiMalt centric suddenly sounds like a wizard spell. So basically, it keeps the malt tasty while still finishing sharp and clean this time?
Hop BroThat’s exactly it. FIRST DOWN was born in 2019, came back as a limited release after fan requests, and now it’s aiming to win the first round with sharp high carbonation.
MugiI’m done for. I can already hear myself saying FIRST DOWN, please the second I walk in. Hop bro, let’s at least rehearse the cheers first!
Yatsugatake Brewery announced the release of its limited lager `FIRST DOWN` on June 26. In its Instagram post, the brewery framed the beer around a memorable description it heard during a local TV shoot: a beer that makes the throat feel like it “opens up.” That idea became the starting point for a beer built to make the first sip feel special.
`FIRST DOWN` originally debuted in 2019 as a “beer for the very first drink,” and it has now returned as a limited release in response to fan demand. According to the brewery’s official site, the recipe uses Hokuto-grown Rihokumai rice, Canadian malt that pairs well with rice, and Czech Saaz hops. The beer is designed around firm carbonation, a sharp clean finish, and a clear rice-driven character that aims for a smooth, refreshing mouthfeel.
The brewery itself is based in Kiyosato Highland in Hokuto, Yamanashi, and has been operating since 1997. Yatsugatake Brewery emphasizes what it calls “Malt Centric Brewing,” using the clean water of the Yatsugatake foothills and a process focused on drawing out malt character. Its regular lineup includes flagship lagers such as Pilsner and Kiyosato Lager, both of which have helped build the brewery’s reputation.
Seen in that context, FIRST DOWN fits neatly into the brewery’s identity. It is not a hop-forward, aroma-driven beer, but a lager aimed squarely at the moment when the glass first reaches the table. For drinkers looking for a crisp summer lager that makes the opening sip count, this limited return is worth noting.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s topic is the return of FIRST DOWN. Yatsugatake Brewery has brought out a limited rice lager made specifically for your first beer.
MugiMade for the first glass? What is that! Does beer have a starting lineup now?
Hop BroIt kind of does. This one is built to reset your mood with the first sip, using strong carbonation and crispness for that throat opens up feeling.
MugiJust hearing that makes it a serious gulping candidate! But wait, rice lager means it tastes like actual rice?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. The core is Rihoku rice and Saaz, plus Canadian malt and Czech hops, so it lands smooth but still super refreshing.
MugiWho is Saaz!? That sounds like an imported pinch hitter, not an ingredient. Please tell me he’s not your drinking buddy.
Hop BroSaaz hops are a classic Czech variety. They keep the aroma refined instead of flashy, which makes them a great match for the gentle rice character.
MugiOhhh! So this is less aroma fireworks and more full-throttle drinkability. That sounds lethal in hot weather.
Hop BroExactly. Yatsugatake Brewery started in Kiyosato Highlands in 1997, knows lager inside out, and is built around Malt Centric Brewing, meaning they really value malt flavor.
MugiMalt centric suddenly sounds like a wizard spell. So basically, it keeps the malt tasty while still finishing sharp and clean this time?
Hop BroThat’s exactly it. FIRST DOWN was born in 2019, came back as a limited release after fan requests, and now it’s aiming to win the first round with sharp high carbonation.
MugiI’m done for. I can already hear myself saying FIRST DOWN, please the second I walk in. Hop bro, let’s at least rehearse the cheers first!
